Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Nollywood Convention 2008 Gets a Makeover

Genevieve Nnaji, Stephanie Okereke, Omotola Ekeinde-Jalade are some of Nollywood’s A-list actresses who have recently stepped up their fashion game and diversified their portfolios with business ventures in the music and fashion industries. Nnaji, for example, recently launched a fashion brand called St. Genevieve while Okereke is alleged to have recently signed a $1million deal as the brand spokesperson and face of USA based L’Maj Cosmetics. These Nollywood stars, however, are not the only ones re-branding/getting makeovers. The Nollywood Convention, produced by the Nollywood Foundation Inc.,a non-profit headquartered in Los Angeles, California which attracts A-list Nollywood celebrities like the aforementioned, directors, producers and key industry players in Hollywood and Bollywood is also receiving a makeover.

Collabo with L.A. Film Festival: For starters, the Nollywood Convention 2008 event is in collaboration with the Los Angeles Film Festival [LAFF]. In fact, the producers plan to host a special screening of “The Choir” at LAFF and introduce guests from Nigeria to LAFF attendees. In case you don’t know, LAFF is an annual event held for ten days in June and attracts over a 100,000. Approximately 108 features, 40 shorts, and 60 music videos such as Young @ Heart, Transformers, Deliver Us from Evil, 2 Days in Paris, Half Nelson, Rock School, The Devil Wears Prada, and Old Joy are seen at the festival.

Sexier Venue: The producers have also upgraded the venue for the yearly event to a sleeker, sexier and luxurious space, the French inspired Sofitel Hotel located at 8555 Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles.

More Engaging Seminars: The event, now in its third year, has also revamped its seminars. From its infancy state where more dialogue was involved it has transitioned to a refreshing change with actual hands on workshops. This year’s theme “Enhancing Film Production” magnifies the hands on approach as well as offers inside knowledge for those currently working in/interested in Nollywoood. Check out the agenda below and for more info. including purchasing tickets, visit http://www.nollywoodfoundation.org/.